Alston making mark for USA team

Rashard Alston says he’s been having a blast playing football on the world stage in Kuwait.

But now play time is over, he adds.

The United States team will take on Canada on Wednesday at 4 p.m. for the IFAF U19 World Championship.

“It will mean everything to me,” said Alston, a running back for the USA team. “This isn’t about me anymore. It’s such a bigger picture. I’m playing for my teammates, my family and, most importantly, the country. Anything less then a gold medal will be a failure and I will feel like a letdown to my country. We absolutely have to do this.”

Both USA and Canada were 3-0 in pool play, with nothing less than dominating performances showing up on the slate. USA has beaten Mexico (49-14), Germany (54-0) and Japan (43-0).

Canada has hammered France (56-0) and Kuwait (91-0), along with a 36-7 win over Austria.

Alston has totaled over 100 yards rushing and three touchdowns for the USA. He scored on runs of 8 and 4 yards against Germany and plunged ahead for a 2-yard touchdown run in the win over Japan on Sunday.

Alston is a sophomore at Newberry College and in line to start this fall for the Wolves.

At GCHS, Alston was a three-sport athlete. He also played basketball and ran track for the Gators.

As a senior running back, he rushed for 786 yards and nine touchdowns to help power GCHS to a 13-0 record.

As a junior, he had 256 yards and one touchdown during the Gators’ state championship season.

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